Hey! So glad you stopped by today, I look forward to your comments.
Melinda
Category: Men & Womens Health
Small Lifestyle Changes To Make When Living With Chronic Pain
Living in constant pain can make you feel like you are alone and there is no one who understands what you are going through. Chronic pain conditions vary and each person living with chronic pain will have their own pain thresholds and triggers. At times, it may seem like there is nothing you can do, especially when traditional pain medication doesn’t have any effect. It is at times like this when people try other methods of medicating.
For some, different types of pains and symptoms can be managed or even eradicated with a few changes to your diet. It may seem futile however if nothing else is working you have nothing to lose by trying. Adapt what you do during your day-to-day life to see if different things affect your pain level. For example, many chronic pain patients credit the sun and warmth for lowering their pain levels. For this reason, it could be worth looking into how you can increase your vitamin D intake and get more sun into your life.
Many people find adding exercise into their lives can help with certain types of pain. Working up slowly to adding beneficial exercise to your daily routine as and when you can help you to look after your body despite your pain levels. Yoga, pilates, and simple stretching exercise will help you to remain fit and supple and in some cases decrease your pain levels.
There is no scientific evidence that links drastic diet changes with the eradication of pain from chronic pain conditions. However, it is thought that certain types of foods can inflame the body in different ways making pain worse. From cutting out dairy to reduce additional IBS symptoms or abdominal pain to avoiding nightshade foods to reduce pain and inflammation for Fibromyalgia, arthritis, and more.
There have also been suggestions that eating clean and switching to a more plant-based diet can help control pain levels. While fatty and processed foods aren’t healthy for anyone when overconsumed, there is nothing to lose by changing up your diet and eating a more natural diet, and reducing your meat, specifically red meat intake.
Many chronic pain sufferers will all tell you that sleeping is a problem. It’s a vicious circle to be told you need to get more sleep yet sleep is elusive due to your pain. But by creating as relaxing a sleep environment as can help you to relax even if you can’t sleep. Your body repairs itself during sleep and getting good quality sleep remains important despite your health condition.
Find your optimal sleeping temperature and noise level, try using a white noise app if you needed, and also use comfortable bedding. Set your limits for screen time and electronics and try to create a relaxing bedtime routine that indicates you are ready for sleep. This won’t always be possible but it is worth persevering to help you improve your sleep quality.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
A Lesson from the Vineyard: Strength Through Struggle — Guest Blogger Olive Tree Saints
Are you struggling right now? Sometimes, the very struggle that threatens to bring us to our knees can end up making us stronger.
A Lesson from the Vineyard: Strength Through Struggle — Olive Tree Saints
The Annual Check-Ups Men Need
Men, are you avoiding the doctor? It’s time to get on board with taking care of yourself. Let’s get familiar with what men need to stay healthy.
Many people didn’t see the doctor unless critical, and most annual appointments were pushed back. I want to focus on men in this post.
The Difference Between Checkups and Screenings
Medical checkups and screenings are two different things.
- Checkups are visits to evaluate your health. Physicals and well checks are other names for checkups. During a checkup, a doctor will examine your body and talk with you about your health. You’ll go over symptoms you have, medications you take, and your lifestyle habits, such as exercise and eating.
- Screenings are medical tests that can find diseases or conditions before you have symptoms. Screenings include blood pressure measurements, blood tests, and colonoscopies. Your doctor can provide some types of screenings in the office. Others are only available at a specialty clinic or hospital.
Common Screenings and Checkups
The checkups and screening tests men need, and when they need them, depending on their age, health, and personal risk factors for certain conditions.
Physical Exam / Well Check
Prostate Cancer Screening
STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) Screening
Cholesterol and Blood Pressure
Diabetes Test
Colonoscopy
Bone Density Test
Hearing and Vision Screening
Oral Health Checkup
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening
Key Takeaways
- Stay healthy with regular health checkups and screening tests.
- Discover diseases and conditions early so you have the best chance of treating them successfully.
- Visit a primary care doctor regularly for your entire life even if you’re feeling well. Let Healthgrades help you find a doctor in your area.
- Ask your doctor about other additional screenings and follow-up appointments based on your screening results and medical history.
Take care of yourself, a healthier life is a happy life.
Melinda
References:
https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/mens-health/top-10-checkups-and-screenings-for-men
National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month
Teen dating violence is common these days. We have to talk with our children, girls, and boys, about the situations they may encounter. You can start young by teaching your children what is not appropriate touching. If we start very young, they are better prepared if violence comes their way.
What Is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month?
February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month (TDVAM). This is an issue that impacts everyone – not just teens – but their parents, teachers, friends and communities as well. Together, we can raise the nation’s awareness about teen dating violence and promote safe, healthy relationships.
What Is the Impact of Teen Dating Violence?
Nationwide, youth age 12 to 19 experience the highest rates of rape and sexual assault. Studies show that approximately 10% of adolescents report being the victim of physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner during the previous year. Girls are particularly vulnerable to experiencing violence in their relationships and are more likely to suffer long-term behavioral and health consequences, including suicide attempts, eating disorders, and drug use.
Adolescents in abusive relationships often carry these unhealthy patterns of violence into future relationships. Indeed, children who are victimized or witness violence frequently bring this experience with them to the playground, the classroom, later into teen relationships and, ultimately, they can end up the victims and perpetrators of adult intimate partner violence.
Sex education, dating violence, and sexual assault were not spoken about in our household. My mother was so bad about communicating when I started my period I had no idea what was happening. I was scared and would not come out of the bathroom. There are many conversations that are difficult to talk with your children about but WE have to educate our children on what is appropriate and what’s not.
I was sexually assaulted as a pre-teen and because my mother didn’t talk to me about these types of things, I didn’t even tell her.
The more we communicate with our children, the more they are prepared for what comes their way.
Melinda
References:
https://youth.gov/feature-article/teen-dating-violence-awareness-and-prevention-month
President’s Day
America is divided as I’ve ever seen in my 60 years on earth. Our government has turned against each other and you have 20 Republican militia members who will no doubt cause chaos. It took 15 tries to get Mcarthy voted in, that’s history-making. One of the biggest reasons for the delay is 20 militia Republican members are just enough to hold up a vote, they strong-armed Mcarthy until he made the concessions they wanted. Think about it, 20 far-right Republicans, known as the militia in government jobs. What does that say about us? What does it say about either party when we let militia idealists hold office.
This has turned into a speakeasy but we need to know who is working for us and those who take office for themselves, like Majorie Taylor Green and George Santos. Are they representing our government with their crazy conspiracy stories and harassment of other members?
When did Presidents day start?
Presidents’ Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February; Presidents’ Day 2023 will occur on February 20. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents, past and present.
In its modern form, Presidents’ Day is used by many patriotic and historical groups as a date for staging celebrations, reenactments, and other events. A number of states also require that their public schools spend days leading up to Presidents’ Day teaching students about the accomplishments of the presidents.
I pray that governments around the world take a hard look at how they’re treating people. In America their many challenges to face, including all the misinformation and most of the time little action. I have great concerns about the next election and the troublemakers that start making noise as soon as the race for President starts. I voted for Biden because there is no way in hell I wanted Trump to ever step foot in The White House again. I will say Joe Biden will not be the great game changer as other Presidents. I have my eyes opened for who will run next in both parties.
I would love to see the divide in our country start to close but politicians on both sides are pushing their bills and very few getting passed because of a lack of Bipartisan participation.
I do know America is still a great country and our commitment to our allies is strong, let’s fight hard for our rights and fight without violence. We are better than that.
Melinda
References:
Blogger Highlight- Your Plate or Mine
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight a new blogger, Your Plate or Mine.
Your Plate or Mine
I write poems and short prose about love and inspiration. I use different types of poems to highlight and I enjoy the writing prompts from other poetry and blog sites.
Check her out!
Melinda
5 Simple Steps For Dealing With Mental Health Challenges
Mental health issues affect one in four people. This could range from stress, anxiety, and depression, to severe mental health issues such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or borderline personality disorder.
Often, it can be hard to understand the cause of these mental health problems. They may be triggered by something that has gone on in your life such as the loss of a loved one, or a big change such as moving to a new city, or a career change. Whatever the cause, you must practice self-care.
But what can you do to treat your mental health problems?
Here are some steps you should take if you are experiencing any mental health difficulties in your life.
Speak To Your Doctor
If you are struggling with stress, anxiety, or depression in your life, then you should speak with your doctor at the earliest possible opportunity. Your doctor should talk you through what is happening in your life in order to understand whether you should be treated with self-care,
antidepressant medication, or whether you would be a suitable candidate for talking therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy.
Speak To A Counselor
If you can speak with a counselor, do so. You may be able to get referred to one by your doctor. If not, there are plenty of specialist counselors that will be able to take you on.
Different counselors and therapists will have their own approaches to dealing with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Make sure that you are happy with the counselor’s approach before you commit to a course of sessions with them.
Use CBD And Other Alternative Treatments
One of the areas that there is growing research into is the use of alternative treatments such as CBD. CBD comes from the same plant as cannabis except it doesn’t have any of the psychoactive ingredients cannabis does. It just relaxes you and relieves symptoms of stress and anxiety.
Another alternative treatment option may be psychedelics. You can read more about this at psychedelicspotlight.com.
Eat Well
There is a lot that can be said about the way that you eat. By making sure that you are eating a balanced diet, you will be able to help to give yourself the energy that you need to keep going.
To fight off stress and depression with your diet you should look at getting your starch fixed with whole grains and beans. You should be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Instead of eating red meats, you should eat fatty fish like salmon or tuna. Finally, add in healthy fats, such as raw nuts and olive oil.
Exercise
Exercising is a great way of clearing your head. It gives you endorphins, a feel-good hormone that will balance out the stress hormones your body will naturally produce.
Start small. Even going for a short walk will be very helpful.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Friday Quote 2/17/2023
Hey! So glad you stopped by today, I look forward to your comments.
Melinda
Throwback Thursday
Here’s a triple of Shaggy, along with Guest Sting. Both have the most unique voices. Have fun, kick back, and jam until you have a big smile.
Melinda
Enhance Your Mind With Free Online Courses
I love Coursera! This is my go-to place for online learning! Many major universities teach courses through Coursera with top-tier professors.
This is a small sampling of the free online course providers, you can search and find many more options to suit your needs. Not all the courses listed are free but each has a nice selection of free courses.
Coursera
Coursera is a free learning site that offers MOOC courses from well-known universities. All Coursera courses contain pre-recorded video lectures that you can watch when it is convenient for you.
Coursera has programs with universities that allow you to get a Master’s Degree or specializations. You can explore various college courses without any hassle.
This site offers free programs from accredited institutions. These free certification courses online available on this platform are designed by a leading university.
Coursera Top Online Course Categories
- Arts and Humanities: History, Music and Art, Philosophy, etc.
- Business: Leadership and Management, Finance, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and more.
- Computer Science: Java, C++, Javascript, Blockchain, Linux, Data Science, IOT, etc.
- Information Technology: CyberSecurity, AWS, Google Cloud, SAP, and more.
- Health: Animal Health, Health Informatics, Healthcare Management, Nutrition, Patient Care, Psychology, etc.
- Science and Engineering: Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy, and more.
- Social Sciences: Economics, Education, Governance and Society, Law, etc.
- Language Learning: Learning English, Chinese, Korean, etc.
Link: https://www.coursera.org/
Harvard
CS50’s Introduction to Computer Science
Harvard CS50 is an entry-level free online computer science course that helps you to learn how you can think algorithmically and solve problems efficiently.
It includes a problem set that is inspired by real-world domains of cryptography, biology, finance, forensics, and gaming. By registering for this online course, you will also participate in research about learning. Read our research statement to learn more.
Link: https://www.edx.org/course/cs50s-introduction-to-computer-science
Yale
The Science of Well-Being
This is a general course that helps you to increase your own inner happiness and how to build more productive and healthy habits. The course talks about the misconceptions regarding happiness, annoying features of the mind, that may lead us to think the way we should, and the research which helps us change. You are finally ready to incorporate a particular wellness activity to enhance the well-being of your life.
Key topics:
- Misconceptions about happiness
- Why do we mispredict what is the thing that makes us happy?
- How can we overcome our biases?
- How to improve our happiness?
- Putting Strategies into Practice
- How can you rely on others to change your behaviors?
- Lastly, you need to submit your final assignment
Features:
- 100% online courses
- Flexible Schedule
- Self-paced learning option
- Course videos and readings
- Assignments with peer feedback
- Graded quizzes with feedback
- Programming assignments
- Languages: English, Spanish, and French.
Rating: 4.9
Duration: Approx. 19 hours to complete
Fee: Free
Provider: Coursera
Certificate: Yes
Level: Beginner
Link: https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being
Rating: 4.9
Duration: Approx. 19 hours to complete
Fee: Free
Provider: Coursera
Certificate: Yes
Level: Beginner
Link: https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being
Udemy
Udemy is an online platform that helps you to create courses for categories like business, design, marketing, etc.
You can develop new skills and achieve their goals by learning from the extensive library of various courses. Subjects that are available in Udemy are taught by expert instructions.
The outline of free certificate courses can be viewed on all devices connected to the internet. You do not require any prequalification to take any course.
Udemy Top Online Course Categories
- Business: Finance, presentation skills, public speaking, financial analysis, entrepreneurship, writing, deep learning, SQL, machine learning, etc.
- Development: Game development, web development, programming languages like Python, JavaScript, Ruby, C#, Swift, etc.
- IT & Software: IT certification, cyber security, network and security, CCNA, etc.
- Teacher Training: Online course creation, presentation skills, instructional design, etc.
- Office Productivity: Google, Apple, Microsoft, SAP, etc.
- Personal Development: Career development, personal finance, study skills, productivity, leadership, and more.
- Design: UI design, web design, graphic design, drawing, design tools like Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, etc.
- Lifestyle: Arts & crafts, training, gaming, travel, etc.
- Marketing: Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Search Engine Optimization (SEO), mobile marketing, product marketing, social media marketing, content marketing, marketing fundamentals, etc.
- Languages: English, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, etc.
- Photography: Digital photography, commercial photography, photography tools, video design, etc.
- Health & Fitness: Yoga, meditation, self-defense, nutrition, etc.
- Music: Music techniques, instruments like piano, guitar, music software, music fundamentals, and more.
Link: https://www.udemy.com/courses/free/
EDX
This site contains a weekly subject sequence. It includes a short video with learning exercises. The platform provides video tutorials, which are similar to the on-campus discussion group and a textbook. It has an online discussion forum where students can post the questions to teaching assistants. It offers free online courses with a certificate of completion.
Edx Top Online Course Categories
- Architecture
- Art & Culture
- Biology & Life Sciences
- Business & Management
- Computer Science
- Data Analysis & Statistics
- Design
- Economics & Finance
- Education & Teacher Training
- Engineering
- Food & Nutrition
- Health & Safety
- Language
- Literature
- Medicine
- Music
- Philanthropy
- Philosophy & Ethics
- Science & Social Sciences and more
Link: https://www.edx.org/
Wharton’s Applied Knowledge Capstone
Wharton’s Applied Knowledge Capstone Project enables you to apply your analytic skills to real business challenges – including your own. You’ll use your newly earned business skills to thoughtfully evaluate a real situation or opportunity from Wharton-governed companies like Shazam and SnapDeal.
Skills You Will Gain
Financial Accounting, Accounting, Finance, Marketing
This Course includes full Specialization, Shareable Certificates, Self-Paced Learning Option Course Videos & Readings, Practice Quizzes, Graded Assignments with Peer Feedback, Graded Quizzes with Feedback, and Graded Programming Assignments.
Business Foundations Specialization
Stanford
Our free online courses provide you with an affordable and flexible way to learn new skills and study new and emerging topics. Learn from Stanford instructors and industry experts at no cost to you.
Berkeley
On-Demand Training to Reduce Workplace Conflict
LinkedIn Learning Courses:
Free with LinkedIn Learning Account-
Learn how to activate your account(link is external)
- Conflict Resolution Foundations(link is external)
- Managing Team Conflict(link is external)
- Curated Conflict Management Learning Path by UC Berkeley(link is external)
- Improving Your Listening Skills(link is external)
- Leading Virtual Meetings(link is external)
UC Berkeley
Publicly Accessible Free Online Courses
This section provides links to publicly accessible free e-learning courses as well as links to courses accessible through Regional Training Academies. Some courses are more simplistic in nature and will not require specialized software or equipment. Video and audio clips may be included in other courses and may require additional software or equipment.
The following courses were developed specifically to educate and train social workers in these content areas:
- Child welfare
- Mental and Behavioral Health
They are offering free to the public in hopes that the content will prove useful for other members of the CalSWEC community—foster parents, resource families, public health nurses, Tribal members, juvenile probation officers, and others.
Expand your life!
Melinda
Tips To Improve Your Wellbeing This Winter
Many people can fall into a slump during the colder winter months when there is less sunlight and motivation is low, but there are some easy ways to lift your spirits.
Create a vision board
A good way to raise yourself from a slump is to create a vision board. A vision board is a collection of images and keywords that you design and assemble on a large piece of paper, for example, which visualizes your hopes and dreams for the future. Vision boards are motivational, particularly when you lose sight of what you are working for. They are equally beneficial when life becomes a little monotonous.
Some ideas to include in a vision board are career aspirations, travel plans, and personal growth targets.
Making a vision board can calm your mind, as it taps into your creativity and helps you focus on your current action. Plus, seeing your finished work day after day is sure to encourage inspiration.
Photo by Mikechie Esparagoza from Pexels
Chat with a friend or companion
It’s important to reach out to friends, relatives, or companions when you are feeling low. Even if you are feeling cheerful, getting in contact with someone you have not spoken to in a while might raise their spirits without you even realizing it.
As we get older, we tend to get stuck in our daily routines and forget that life is about connections and relationships. Older adults can especially yearn for a chat, or for a helping hand, which is why Seniors Helping Seniors is an invaluable service.
Practice physical fitness activities you enjoy
‘Going for a run’ is easier said than done for a lot of us. Especially in the cold, wet weather, running can be a real drag. However, there are plenty of alternative sports and fitness activities that will make you forget you’re even exercising – you’ll be having that much fun.
For one, dancing is a great way to release energy and work up a sweat with a smile on your face. You don’t need a studio to let your hair down, dancing in your room is encouraged. Whack on your favorite tunes and spend 20 minutes to an hour moving about to the music.
If mobility is an issue for you, swimming is an excellent way to stay fit and prevent any muscle or joint discomfort.
Walking and power-walking are also other ways to get your daily exercise without it seeming too strenuous. For those busy days, this activity can tie in with work or socializing, as you could schedule a walking meeting or catch-up. Or, if you need a break from everything, going for a solo walk is a sure way to clear your head. You could even find a scenic route and make a trip out of it, rather than just walking around the block.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels
Do something that makes you laugh
A simple way to distract yourself from the winter blues is to have a giggle. So, get comfy and pick a comedy film or stand-up show you know you will like, and even if you can’t muster a belly laugh, just feeling yourself smile can brighten your mood.
There are also plenty of apps and old-school games that will have you rolling on the floor laughing with friends or family. For smartphone users, try Heads Up!, it’s like a digital version of charades that can be played anywhere. Or if you’re at home, a card game like Snap or Uno is sure to cheer you up.
Maximize your sunlight hours
Going to bed early is never more important than in the winter. Our well-being depends on us getting a decent amount of sleep. For some people that means 8 hours of shuteye, for others, it’s more.
Find out what works for you, and go to bed at a time that allows for a full 8+ hours of sleep until daybreak, so the sunrise works as a natural alarm clock. Seeing a full day’s worth of sunlight can improve your mood dramatically. This is because catching the sun’s rays each day is associated with an increased level of serotonin in the body, a hormone that stabilizes our feelings of well-being.
Photo by Jonathan Petersson from Pexels
Journal or talk it out
If you have considerable worries, or stress is getting on top of you. It’s a good idea to let out your thoughts and emotions either via pen or verbally with a counselor or therapist. Writing or talking about it can help you release negative feelings and therefore improve your well-being.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Happy Valentines!
How Can You Maintain Your Mental Health When You Have A Stressful Job?
If you have a stressful job, you might find that your mental health is taking quite a beating every now and then. The good news is that there are things that you can do to maintain your mental health even when you have a stressful job so that you don’t find yourself so close to burnout all of the time. Now, you might think this isn’t possible, but we can assure you it is. In this article, we’ll be talking about some of the ways you can succeed in doing this, so keep reading if you would like to find out more.
Ensure You Have A Job You Like
First, it helps if you ensure that you have a job that you like. If you’re constantly trying to manage your mental health but you’re stuck in a job that you hate, then this is going to make things harder. Stress can be handled, but the fact that you hate your job on top of this is going to make everything worse, and it’s going to make it more difficult to come out of the other side.
So, the first thing that you should be doing then is moving into a job that you like. Even if you’re out there locking down mortgage protection leads, as long as you like it, you’re going to have a much better chance of maintaining your mental health in the long term. This will reduce the amount of stress that you feel already as you will be happier in what you are doing!
Learn Some Calming Techniques
Another thing that we recommend is that you learn some calming techniques. You want to look into things like breathing exercises so that you can step away from the situation when things start to become overwhelming. When this happens, it helps if you remind yourself of the things that make you happy, think about them, and bring some calm into your life. Stress can only be combated by calm, anything else is going to make it worse.
It might even be worth speaking to someone about how you are feeling as they may have some more suggestions on what you can do.
Don’t Stress Yourself Out Too Much
Last but not least, we know that it’s hard, but try not to stress yourself out too much. There’s a difference between working hard and spreading yourself too thin. Our recommendation is to find someone that you can look up to in your industry like Paul Ognibene in real estate development and look into their path to success. If you can plan out a course of action on how to get to where you want to be, you may find yourself becoming less stressed and more focused.
We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you can do to maintain your mental health when you have a stressful job. You can keep a hold on your mental health without having to give up your job, helping you to live the best life possible! We wish you the very best of luck with this and hope that you see success in trying out these things.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Blogger Highlight-Crippled Cowgirl
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight a new blogger, Crippled Cowgirl.
Crippled Cowgirl
I’m child number three of eight, Catholic in case you’re wondering, the lost child if you follow family dynamics. It fits.
We were raised on a stunningly beautiful cattle and hay ranch in the Flint Creek Valley of southwestern Montana. Whomever came up with the term “Free Range Children” unknowingly described us to the tee.
Be sure to check out her interesting blog and outlook on life.
Melinda
Fun Facts
Thanks for stopping by today. I love hearing your comments each week after learning some interesting things.
The Philippines consists of 7,641 islands
A one-way trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway involves crossing 3,901 bridges
The Golden Girls was supposed to have a different theme song
There’s enough gold inside Earth to coat the planet
Cleveland was once the country’s fifth-largest city
Enjoy!
Melinda
Reference:
Friday Quote 2/10/2023
Hey! So glad you stopped by today, I look forward to your comments each week.
Melinda
4 Simple Ways to Boost Your Dog’s Health: A How-To Guide
Dogs are a part of the family for many people, and it’s important to make sure they stay healthy. There are many simple ways to boost your dog’s health without spending a lot of money. That said, this blog post will discuss four easy ways to keep your furry friend happy and healthy!
1) Feed a Balanced Diet
Feeding a balanced diet is one of the most important things you can do to keep your dog healthy. This means providing them with the essential nutrients they need while avoiding excessive amounts of certain foods. High-quality dry and wet food, as well as treats, should be included in your pup’s diet. You may be wondering is seaweed good for dogs, but even this food can provide a range of health benefits for your pup!
When it comes to feeding your pup, it’s important to consider their size, activity level, age and any other health concerns when selecting the right food. Make sure that these are formulated for dogs specifically and do not contain any ingredients that could harm them. Additionally, ensuring that your pup receives adequate amounts of protein, fats, carbohydrates and vitamins for their stage in life is important for their growth and development.
As always, provide fresh water daily, monitor their weight and consult with a veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about what to feed them. With a balanced diet tailored to your pup’s needs, they will be able to live a long and healthy life!
2) Exercise Regularly
Just like humans, dogs need regular exercise to stay healthy. Depending on the breed and size of your dog, this can range from short walks around the block a few times a week to longer trips to the park or beach. Exercise is important for not only physical health, but also mental stimulation, preventing boredom and helping them release any built-up energy.
If you live in an area with cold winters it’s important to be mindful of when you take your pup out so they don’t get too cold. Additionally, using a harness instead of a collar while walking can help protect their neck from strain if they pull on the leash or try to run away. With regular exercise your pup will have the energy they need to stay healthy and active!
3) Provide Mental Stimulation
Mental stimulation is just as important for your dog’s health as regular exercise. Whether it’s playing fetch or providing interactive toys, dogs need to use their minds in order to stay alert and mentally engaged. Providing mental stimulation can also help reduce destructive behavior and keep them from getting bored.
One way to give your pup mental stimulation is by playing games with them, such as hide-and-seek or tug-of-war. These activities can not only be fun for both you and your pup but also encourage problem solving and reward-based learning. Additionally, food puzzles are a great way to provide mental stimulation while also giving them some treats! Through the use of these types of puzzles, your pup will have to think about how to access the treats hidden inside, helping stimulate their brains and developing problem solving skills.
Another way to provide mental stimulation for your pup is through obedience training and agility courses. Training sessions can help build confidence while providing structure, while agility courses can help promote focus and physical coordination. Both activities are a great way to give your pup the mental exercise they need while also strengthening the bond between owner and pet.
4) Maintain Proper Grooming Practices
Grooming is an important part of keeping your dog healthy in both mind and body. Depending on the breed, length and type of fur, grooming may need to be done more frequently than others. Make sure to brush your puppy’s coat regularly to remove dirt, debris and any mats or tangles. Additionally, keeping their nails trimmed short as well as their teeth clean can help protect them from potential health issues.
In conclusion, there are many simple ways to boost your dog’s health that don’t require a lot of money. From providing them with a balanced diet and regular exercise to mental stimulation and proper grooming, these four tips can help ensure that your pup stays happy and healthy for years to come!
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Starting Fresh In 2023 For Better Mental Health
Whether it be a change to your lifestyle, health or career – 2023 is a time perfect to change, and here are some of the ways you can make a change in your life next year for the better.
Get a new place
By now, most of us are sick of our own homes. Being stuck inside for 9 months has been hard for all of us and many of us have already started to look at houses and apartment rentals in our area. If you want to make a fresh start next year, moving house isn’t a bad idea. Let go of the bad memories of the past and move forward in a positive way by buying or renting a better living space for yourself. Being able to live somewhere new can do wonders for your mental health.
Start exercising
If you want to make a positive change to your physical and mental health in 2021, you need to get up and get moving. There are lots of ways you can stay fit without the need for a gym, and here are just a few of the things you can try:
- Walking
- Running
- Cycling
- Yoga
- HIIT Workouts
- Body Combat
- Dance Workouts
Change up your routine by adding a 30-minute workout to the start of your day, and soon see the benefits it brings in terms of energy and well-being.
Change up your diet
One great way to make a change to your life without committing to anything crazy is changing your diet in small ways. From substituting white for brown bread and rice; to eating less meat and dairy; there are many brilliant things you can do to change your diet for the better. Consider finding foods that are good for the gut and for your heart such as sweet potatoes and peppers, and add these things to your diet for a healthier body. You don’t have to overhaul your whole diet right away, just make small changes as you go.
Find a new hobby
We all need to have hobbies in our lives. When you spend all of your time working, eating, and sleeping – you will soon become bored with your life and your mental health can plummet. Change up your daily routine by spending time doing something new. It could be baking, writing, painting, a new sport, or anything you like. Bring something new into your life that you haven’t tried before and this could open you up to so much more in the future.
Make Some Changes For Your Happiness
In order to improve your mental health, you need to start making changes that are going to make you happy, as well as the ones that are just good for your health. This can be anything that you want, as long as it brings you some level of newfound happiness into your life. For example, if you decide that you are interested in living a more eco-friendly life, then looking at the advice of someone like Stephen Troese Jr is a great place to start. Or, you might simply want to start being more social with your friends again. There are plenty of options!
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Celebrate The Tiny Victories
It can be difficult when you have a chronic illness or mobility challenges to remember this is your life now. It’s not yesterday, your mindset has to change and it’s not easy to accept. I’ve been struggling for a long time and today I forced myself to look at what I accomplished in a micro view.
The smallest victory is a victory. I had to force my eyes to look closely at the tiny victories and give myself a pat on the back. We can get caught up in our illness, and what we can’t do, and that can weigh on our shoulders. If you can see one victory in a day, it’s a good day.
Tuesday
Took medication
Put laundry away except for what’s in the machine
Talked with pharmacy
Talked via email with my Psychiatrist
I woke up at 10:00 am instead of noon
Brushed teeth
Wrote half a post.
Yesterday was a good day, I accomplished more than the day before. Another way to stay positive is to look at what you’ve done, not the long to-do list. Look for the tiny chores every day to keep the positive mindset alive.
To some, this looks like a long list and others think it is no big deal. The truth is, It Doesn’t Matter What Others Think! You have to chart your own course.
How do you stay focused on the tiny victories?
Melinda
Deep Thoughts
In this fast-paced social media world, it can be difficult to find the time to look within or back in time. I hope you find these quotes and questions interesting. So glad you stopped by today!
Continue reading “Deep Thoughts”Blogger Highlight-Agnes 22
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight a new blogger, Agnes 22.
Agnes 22
Hello my name is Agnija and I write about emotions. I write exactly what I feel and that makes me happy. Each one of us are unique and that’s what is reflected in my writing. How people interact, react and feel is the essence of my blog. I’ll be so glad if you take a few minutes of your time to read my blog.
Be sure to stop by her blog!
Melinda
Friday Quote 2/03/2023
Hey! So glad you stopped by today, I look forward to your comments each week.
Melinda
Ground Hog Day
The ever-famous groundhog Phil, saw his shadow this morning so we have six more weeks of winter. I wonder if some government agency has been tracking his accuracy. Let’s find out why Groundhog Day exists.
The History
The Christian religious holiday of Candlemas Day has become most commonly associated with the current celebration, but it’s roots are older than that. The celebration started in Christianity as the day, (February 2nd), when Christians would take their candles to the church to have them blessed. This, they felt, would bring blessings to their household for the remaining winter.
As time rolled on the day evolved into another form. The following English folk song highlights the transition to weather prognostication.
If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Come, Winter, have another flight;
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Go Winter, and come not again.
This “interpretation” of Candlemas Day became the norm for most of Europe. As you can read, there is no mention of an animal of any kind in the preceding song. It wasn’t until this traditional belief was introduced to Germany that an animal was introduced into the lore, hence another evolution of February 2nd. If, according to German lore, the hedgehog saw his shadow on Candlemas Day there would be a “Second Winter” or 6 more weeks of bad weather. As German settlers came to what is now the United States, so too came their traditions and folklore. With the absence of hedgehogs in the United States, a similar hibernating animal was chosen. This leads us to yet another evolution in the legend and to present day Punxsutawney.
If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Come, Winter, have another flight;
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Go Winter, and come not again.
This “interpretation” of Candlemas Day became the norm for most of Europe. As you can read, there is no mention of an animal of any kind in the preceding song. It wasn’t until this traditional belief was introduced to Germany that an animal was introduced into the lore, hence another evolution of February 2nd. If, according to German lore, the hedgehog saw his shadow on Candlemas Day there would be a “Second Winter” or 6 more weeks of bad weather. As German settlers came to what is now the United States, so too came their traditions and folklore. With the absence of hedgehogs in the United States, a similar hibernating animal was chosen. This leads us to yet another evolution in the legend and to present day Punxsutawney.
Phil is not a Hedgehog in America because they don’t live here, it was the German settlers that brought the tradition to America.
Melinda
References:
February Awareness Days
If you’re into food this month is for you! I didn’t include them in my list but you can do a search and be surprised by the number of awareness days.
National Womans Physicians Day 3rd
Presidents Day – Third Monday in February
Ash Wednesday 22nd
National Cancer Prevention Month
American Heart Month
National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month
National Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Low Vision Awareness Month International
Prenatal Infection Prevention Month
3 Tips For Dealing With Conflict
Conflict, while of course the foundational point of many stories we like to read, watch or even play, is not altogether that fun in real life. Unfortunately, you’re probably going to deal with conflict in some form or another during the course of your life, possibly many times over.
Of course, conflict is a spectrum and can come in many firms. It may take shape as a mild disagreement over a parking space, or perhaps having to tell your child off because they’re not staying in bed after putting them to sleep.
Sometimes, however, conflict can be more intensive than we had expected, and in order to properly go through it and contain it, it’s important to know where to begin. Some of the advice below will hopefully help you if you find yourself in a situation like this, allowing you to move forward with confidence:
Never Escalate
Conflict can get out of hand quite quickly, for instance, it’s not uncommon to see people pushing and shoving one another, and even breaking out into fights, over Black Friday sales where everyone is trying to push in and get the item they wish for. The truth is, though, that escalation can be in your control to some degree.
Avoid name-calling, or trying to ‘win’ the battle of who can say the most cutting thing. Instead, be clear, hold eye contact, and be firm in your speech. Remember that you don’t have to answer their questions, or reply to everything they say. If the person is irrational, it’s best to leave the situation. Even martial arts classes will teach their practitioners that leaving possible conflict are thousands of times better than a disagreement escalating into a fight. Note that this doesn’t mean standing up for yourself, it just means being realistic about the situation and always looking for an escape if necessary.
Understand Your Rights
Your rights are your rights, and you are permitted to exercise them. That’s what they’re there for. In some cases, you may be able to use professional help to better orchestrate a defense or seek compensation, such as with this car accident lawyer at Eric Ramos Law, PLLC.
Alternatively, reading up on the law about filming in public can help you shoot your travel video with a friend, and understand your exact rights should someone call a law enforcement official who instructs you to stop. Your rights help you understand when to press an issue, when to defend yourself, and when to comply.
Document The Issue
A dashcam, a mobile phone, or even making sure you’re in the coverage of a CCTV camera can help you better ensure that the situation is being covered and that if needed, you have the chance to refer back to this when required.
For instance, if you see someone keying your car, record them clearly instead of running out to confront them first. It will help you ensure transparency and also prove that you haven’t caused additional harm in the situation. This way, law enforcement will choose your side if they need to be involved.
With this advice, we hope you can better deal with conflict if it finds you.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Blogger Highlight-Gemma’s Little World
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight a new blogger, Gemma’s Little World.
Gemma’s Little World
Hey everyone! My name is Gemma, and I’m a college student who loves to write. Here, I’ll share my ramblings, among other things. Please keep in mind that I will also repost my articles from my HerCampus page on this website after each semester. Thank you for reading!
Gemma is new to blogging and you need to check out her blog.
Melinda
Friday Quote 1/27/2023
Hey! So glad you stopped by today, I look forward to your comments each week.
Melinda
Just Pondering
Bella Grace Field Guide by Stampington
“You don’t always need a logical reason for doing everything in your life. Do it because you want; Because it’s fun; Because it makes you happy.
unknown
Melinda
How Starting A Garden Could Change Your Life
Being lost in life is par for the course; while it can feel like you’re the only one who understands it, in truth, everybody does on some level. The COVID-19 pandemic has truly made us all question who we are, and what is important to us. This can lead people to feel lost in their lives, or frustrated with the feeling that they have no control over what goes on around them.
There are so many ways to cope with change, but one surefire way to center calm in your life is to start a garden. You don’t have to have a huge amount of space or much experience – and in this blog, we’re going to show you how.
The psychological benefits of gardening
Psychologists have studied the psychological benefits of gardening for years. Gardening is often an activity that is practiced in rehabilitation facilities, elderly care centers, and mental health recovery centers because it helps people nurture the growth of living things.
The psychological benefits of gardening include:
- Relaxation. Using your hands to dig in the earth and make small steps towards a beautiful garden can be very relaxing. Plus, the color green is said to be calming to the human brain, too!
- Community. If you garden in a communal space, you can share the activity with like-minded people and grow into a new community. The COVID-19 pandemic has made people feel very isolated, so this sense of communal wellbeing is very important in 2021 and beyond.
- Gardening is an outdoor activity that gets you moving. Fresh air and exercise have numerous health benefits in themselves, and gardening is the perfect excuse to do both!
- Gardening helps you concentrate and engage with tasks in a healthy way. If you are recovering from a big change in your life, gardening can help you focus, and ultimately engage with new tasks in a meaningful way. Gardening is made up of small, simple tasks that can aid your brain’s recovery.
Tips for starting a garden in a small space
If all this sounds good to you, but you only have a small yard or even just a balcony, you might be thinking, ‘There’s no way I can start a garden in such a tiny space.’ Well, luckily, you’re wrong about that!
Firstly, find plants that are easy to grow in pots. These could be herbs, flowers, house plants, or even small vegetables, as long as they are able to grow in a potted environment rather than in the ground. This makes them easier to maintain in a small garden.
Next, you should research through reading books or watching YouTube videos, how to maintain your plants through hydration, the right kind of soil, and the right light levels. This research will help you expand your garden gradually as you cultivate these important skills for life!
If your garden gets out of control, you can contact local lawn fertilization and weed control services to help tame the wild beast!
Final Thoughts
Having a garden can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, burnout, or lack of focus. Plus, you’ll have a beautiful little green space that you can keep nurturing for years to come.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
lookingforthelight.blog 